Most of Dhoni’s runs came when matches were out of reach: Aakash
MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer and current captain of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has been a topic of discussion lately due to the team’s dismal performance in the ongoing IPL 2025 season. While Dhoni has been a stalwart for the team, his batting performances have been questioned by many, including former India batter Aakash Chopra.
In a recent interview, Aakash Chopra expressed his concerns about Dhoni’s batting performances, stating that most of his runs come when the matches are already out of reach. He pointed out that Dhoni has consistently batted at positions seven or lower in every single innings over the last couple of seasons, and has batted at positions eight or nine about 45% of the time during this period.
This observation has raised questions about the impact Dhoni’s batting has on the team’s overall performance. While Dhoni is known for his calm and composed approach to batting, his low-order batting has often been criticized for being too slow and not contributing significantly to the team’s total.
Chopra’s comments have sparked a debate among cricket enthusiasts, with some defending Dhoni’s batting and others questioning his ability to perform under pressure. Those who support Dhoni’s batting argue that he has consistently delivered for the team over the years and that his experience and calm approach to batting are valuable assets to the team.
On the other hand, those who criticize Dhoni’s batting argue that he is not contributing significantly to the team’s total and that his slow batting is not effective in the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket. They also point out that Dhoni’s batting has been inconsistent over the years, and that he often fails to deliver when the team needs him to.
One of the main concerns is that Dhoni’s batting has become too predictable, with teams often setting fields to restrict him to singles and twos. This has led to CSK’s batting being too reliant on the top-order batsmen, and the team’s middle-order has struggled to make an impact.
Another concern is that Dhoni’s batting has taken away valuable opportunities for other batsmen to score. With Dhoni batting at the end, the other batsmen often struggle to get going and make the most of their opportunities. This has led to CSK’s batting being too dependent on Dhoni’s performances, and the team’s batting collapses have become a regular feature.
Chopra’s comments have also raised questions about CSK’s team selection and strategy. With Dhoni batting at the end, the team is often forced to play defensive cricket and try to restrict the opposition’s total. This has led to CSK’s matches becoming low-scoring and dull, which has not been exciting for the fans.
In conclusion, while Dhoni is a legendary cricketer and an experienced captain, his batting performances have been questioned by many, including Aakash Chopra. His low-order batting has often been criticized for being too slow and not contributing significantly to the team’s total. While some argue that Dhoni’s experience and calm approach to batting are valuable assets to the team, others believe that he is not performing under pressure and that his batting is not effective in the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket.
As the IPL 2025 season continues, it will be interesting to see how CSK’s team selection and strategy evolve, and whether Dhoni’s batting performances improve. For now, Chopra’s comments have raised important questions about the impact of Dhoni’s batting on the team’s overall performance, and whether it’s time for CSK to rethink their approach to batting.
